WOODBINE– Guns continue to be a part of everyday crime in the Borough of Woodbine. A popular summertime fast food restaurant was held up a gun point Thursday night in the latest robbery involving a firearm.
State Police were called to the scene at the Woodbine Custard Ranch on the 200 block of Washington Avenue at 10:21 p.m., according to a press release.
A black male entered the kitchen through a back door with a handgun according to the restaurant’s co-owner Roger Kleintz, 55. “He came in, he had a gun and demanded the cash,” Kleintz said. “I don’t play with guns, I just gave it to him and he left,” he said.
Kleintz was with Woodbine Custard Ranch co-owner Chester Dovidio, 53, at the time of the robbery. All of the employee’s had left for the night. Kleintz said no one was hurt.
State Police requested a K-9 unit to the scene to search for the suspect however they were not able to locate him.
Kleintz said he has owned the restaurant for seventeen years and has never been robbed before. There is “defiantly” an increase in crime in Woodbine he said.
In the past year the Borough has been a hotbed of criminal activity with shootings, robberies, home invasions and raids. Wanted fugitives have been found hiding out and one Borough resident was arrested in neighboring Cumberland county for attempted murder.
Almost one year ago state police were called to the 500 block of Jefferson Avenue on August 9, 2009, where a parked parked Lexus was shot up. No injures were reported and no suspects were located in the shooting.
On November 20, 2009 a state police S.W.A.T. team raided 742 Lincoln Avenue where Jorrell Elston, 32, a convicted felon and Jessica Caraballo, 32, a state employee were charged with weapons, and related drug charges. According to state police a nine-millimeter hand gun was recovered with forty grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
More then a week later on November 29, 2009 state police were called to the 400 block of Bryant Street where shots were fired into the home and a parked vehicle. No injures were reported and no arrest were made.
Earlier this year Woodbine resident Stephon Brian Allen was charged with with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of terroristic threats, two counts of aggravated assault and a number of weapon offenses in the January 27, 2010 Millville shooting at Oakview apartments.
Nine weeks ago on May 24, 2010, a man was shot on the 600 block of Grant Avenue. According to state police, Jose Viera was shot in the leg below the kneecap. Viera told police that an unknown suspect ran past him in the street, turned around and took a shot at him. No suspects were located.
On June 27, 2010 state police were called to the 800 block of Heilprin Avenue where a man was robbed and assaulted in his home.
On July 6, 2010 State Police arrested Robert T. Phillips in Woodbine. Phillips was wanted in relation to the violent Home Invasion that occurred on June 22, 2010 in the Goshen section of Middle Township. He is in the Cape May County Jail on $250,000 bail charged with Robbery, Criminal Restraint, Burglary, Theft and Possession of Firearms.
Later that same day state police were called to the Ocean World Resort on Freidriechstadt Ave where according to a county wide “be on the lookout” broadcast a strong armed robbery occurred.
On July 14th state police charged Terrell Brown of Woodbine with numerous weapons offenses as well as resisting arrest. Brown fled on foot when troopers attempted to take him into custody for an outstanding warrant out of Buena Vista Township. Troopers gave chase, and observed Brown throw a handgun which they recovered. Brown was apprehended a short distance latter and lodged in the Cape May County Jail.
On July 19 State Police responded to the 400 block of Bryant Street where three residents were robbed at gunpoint. One person was pistol whipped in the robbery. Hours later troopers raided 216 De Hirsch Avenue where four people were arrested in connection with the robbery. The gun believed to have been used in the robbery was recovered at the home and some of the items taken from Bryant Street.
Assad Price 19, of Woodbine, Christoper Kelly, 20 of Lower Twp, Wilfredo Rosa, 19 of Woodbine and Benjamen Smith, 22 of Woodbine were charged with armed robbery and other offenses and lodged in the Cape May County Jail on $150,000 bail.
A 16 year-old male juvenile was also charged with robbery and other offenses and lodged in a Cumberland county juvenile detention center.
One male juvenile remains at large in the robbery, state police said.
Additionally unrelated to the robbery Jesus Rodriguez, 22 of Woodbine was charged with obstruction and drug possession during the raid on De Hirsch Ave. A 16 year-old female was also charged with obstruction. Both were released on a summons.
State Police are asking the public for help in locating the man responsible for the Custard Ranch robbery and previous criminal activity in the Borough. Detectives can be reached at 609-861-5698.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
